What have we learned? Ten tips for 2021
By Jo Causon, CEO, The Institute of Customer Service It has been an extraordinary and challenging year for everyone, and I do not imagine that 2021 is going to get off to an easier start; but as 2020 draws to…
Covid-19 learnings could help businesses make the adjustment to Brexit
By Jo Causon, CEO, The Institute of Customer Service Understandably, the nation’s attention has been fully focused on the Covid-19 pandemic ever since it took hold in March. It has been a rollercoaster ride, for businesses as for individuals, families…
Service with Respect: Inspirational Stories
It has now been four months since we launched our Service with Respect campaign in response to the worrying increase of hostility being faced by customer-facing staff throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. With now more than 100 organisations backing our campaign…
Embrace the lessons of the first lockdown to navigate the second
By Jo Causon, CEO, The Institute of Customer Service In a move that felt almost inevitable, we now find ourselves back in a series of lockdown measures across the UK. We all felt it coming; yet it is still a…
We must steel ourselves for the challenges ahead
By Jo Causon, CEO, The Institute of Customer Service As regional lockdowns continue to come into force up and down the country, it is clear that we are entering the next phase of the Coronavirus crisis. After a brief period…
Leaders must balance business with human need in return-to-work plans
By Jo Causon, CEO, The Institute of Customer Service As school summer holidays come to an end and the government encourages a mass return to the office, attention for many organisations is turning to if, and how, to bring employees…
Organisations: adopt a zero tolerance approach to hostility and abuse
By Jo Causon, CEO, The Institute of Customer Service As lockdown measures ease and businesses across the country open their doors, society appears to be settling in to the ‘new normal’. However, a worrying trend has begun to emerge, with…
Backing our essential workers: service with respect
By Jo Causon, CEO, The Institute of Customer Service One of the consistent themes throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown has been a rising appreciation of the invaluable work that our essential workers perform. Health workers have obviously been in…
Employees facing increased customer hostility as lockdown eases
New research reveals more than half of customer-facing employees have experienced increased hostility from customers during the coronavirus crisis Two-thirds of customer facing staff feel under greater pressure as they’re being asked to perform extra duties, some of which may…
Recognise excellent service to keep staff motivated for the task ahead
As lockdown measures begin to ease, leaders are facing the fresh challenge of when and how to bring their workforce back into the business.